Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. By The New York Times. Some areas have increased risk. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS, Guatemala International Travel Information. Entry Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches. It is against the law for drivers to operate cellular phones while driving. Take care in all parts of the country, including Guatemala City. Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine. Buses are frequently targeted by gangs, who may hurl grenades or fire shots as a way of ensuring compliance with their demands or to settle accounts. There is no mountain rescue service in Guatemala. Violent incidents involving foreigners taking photos have occurred. Latest Travel Restrictions. RESTRICTED ITEMS A common crime against foreign citizens in Guatemala is robbery of cell phones. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. 70% of all people living with HIV/AIDS live in Guatemala City and the metropolitan region. Risk is higher among children,travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time. Privately owned bus lines, including Transmetro and Transurbano in Guatemala City, are safer, but passengers have been subject to attacks at stations. Last Update: Reissued after periodic review without changes. Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. Especially if, as mentioned, its been relaxing restrictions, not adding to them. Tour operators may not adhere to international standards. Are there restrictions on intercity or interregional travel? You should carry an international driving permit. (And Which Parts Should I Visit and/or Avoid? Guatemala Travel Advisory Travel Advisory October 4, 2022 Guatemala - Level 3: Reconsider Travel C Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information. While most roads in urban areas are in fair condition, travel on secondary streets and rural roads can be hazardous due to: Local drivers generally dont respect traffic laws. Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. For all travelers aged 12 and over: Evidence of receiving a complete twodose COVID-19 vaccination course (or one dose for Johnson & Johnson), with the final dose being administered at least two weeks before beginning your trip to Guatemala; or, For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID19, please see the. Drink boiled or bottled water. Photographing children and women, especially in areas with Indigenous presence, may result in exacerbating this fear. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. We do not pay medical bills. Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Guatemala should also check forU.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Do take radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo), INGUAT-approved taxis from the SAFE stand at the airport, hotel taxis, vetted private drivers, and/or Uber. Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. Particularly in small villages, residents are often wary and suspicious of outsiders. Schemes often involve some form of distraction. Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Guatemala are vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms from mid-May through November. Children travelling with only one parent or with a third party must travel with a notarized letter of consent from the other parent, both parents or their guardian. Maintain distance from local children and refrain from actions that could fuel such suspicions. Criminals perceive foreigners as wealthy. Mountain activities, such as hiking, can be dangerous, especially if they are not well-organized. The full range of medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside of the city is limited. Several municipalities lack police presence, and local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. They may tell you they are drug enforcement officers and then take you to a side road where they steal everything from you. Public Transportation: The most common form of public transportation is the system of brightly-painted recycled school buses. Warm and waterproof attire is essential. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region. If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season: The rainy season extends from mid-May to mid-November. Or finding another place with no such restrictions. Guatemala has many different and firmly held local beliefs and customs. Seasonal influenza occurs worldwide. As Costa Rica ends its State of Emergency this week, we update our guide to the remaining Covid measures around Central America. Taxi Amarillo Express (yellow taxis) is a radio-dispatch taxi service reached by dialing 1766. Travelers have experienced carjackings and armed robberies upon leaving the airport. avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at, avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness, Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you, Always keep your medication in the original container, consult a lawyer in Canada and in Guatemala to explore all the legal options for the return of your child. Not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present: To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page. Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions, Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. Trails are not always marked and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer. Yellow feveris a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito. See ourRoad Safety pagefor more information. Guatemala reopened its borders to international travel on September 18, 2020. You should carry personal ID when travelling (certified. Travel to Guatemala Travel to Guatemala There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place for travel to Guatemala from Ireland. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business. Please make every effort to stay informed before making any travel plans by confirming with your airlines and checking the website (https://igm.gob.gt) of the Guatemalan governments immigration authority. Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except urbanized areas. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles. Do you need a PCR COVID-19 test to travel to Guatemala? People found driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be arrested and may serve jail time. U.S. government personnel and family members are free to travel within Guatemala City except for zone 18 and the municipality of Villa Nueva. Some ATMs will accept Canadian debit cards with a four-digit PIN. Road safety and road conditions can vary greatly throughout the country. Guatemalan citizens, Guatemalan residents, and diplomats accredited in Guatemala will be required to present either of the following: If you have any symptoms of respiratory illness or are suspected of having COVID-19, please postpone your trip to Guatemala. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated. - This does not apply to: - nationals of Guatemala; - permanent residents of Guatemala. Masks are now only compulsory in the following areas: Green is normal, yellow is moderate, orange is high, and red is the highest alert. This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. There are four active volcanoes in Guatemala. Pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy shouldvisit a health care professionalbefore travelling to discuss the potential risks of travelling to this country. It can, however, change at any time. Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning import or export of items such as antiquities and artefacts. Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Guatemala. All U.S. government personnel and family members are prohibited from traveling to San Marcos Department for personal travel, except for the city of San Marcos. Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional. There have been instances of narco-related homicides in this area, especially along CA-13. On roads between Guatemala City and the Petn region; On tThe Inter-American Highway (CA-1) and the road from Guatemala City to the Caribbean coast (CA-9), due to heavy traffic, including large trucks and trailers. Under the terms of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4), Canadian tourists may travel freely within any of the following CA-4 countries: You can travel between these countries for up to 90 days without having to undergo entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints. Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Reports of sexual assault remain high. Driving under the influence of alcohol is also common. Verify this information with theForeign Representatives in Canada. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctors prescription. Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Not all risks are listed below. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad. SeeourLGBTI Travel Informationpage and section 6 of ourHuman Rights reportfor further details. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the countrys entry rules. Many hospitals in Guatemala require payment prior to treating patients, even if personal insurance will cover the treatment. Its up to each venue or business to decide how to enforce things, and masks and distancing are voluntary. help you find accommodations and arrange flights home. Avoid approaching or photographing children and women, especially in Indigenous communities. Credit card payment is not always available. If you travel by bus: Hotel-associated taxis and yellow cabs (taxis amarillos), which operate in Guatemala City, are considered safe. Canadian debit cards with a five-digit PIN are not accepted. . Carry a photocopy of your passport in case you lose your passport. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements. They are often overcrowded. After that, press reports said Guatemala was delaying the change (to analyze the measures, apparently), which was why the Health Department removed all its posts on the matter. U.S. citizens are advised not to hail white-car taxis on the street in Guatemala City. If you fail to leave Guatemala with your vehicle by the expiry date, you will be subject to a fine for the extra days. ), Patricia Trigueros takes you toRead More A Dose of Palm Trees: My Favorite Beaches in El Salvador. Rabiesis a deadly illness spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from an infected animal. After all, Guatemala has seen a relaxing of in-country restrictions. They are frequently involved in major road accidents, and serious crimes occur on board. They're limited elsewhere. Your safety and security could be at risk. Requests should be directed to the attention of the Coordinator of the, The request should be submitted by mail, fax, or. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison sentences. Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime . Find out what types of insects are present where youre travelling, when theyre most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread. Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin, Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester, Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed. Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. In the meantime, also on December 22, Guatemalas Immigration Department updated its own entry info, without mentioning any of this. Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Guatemalas Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Guatemalas air carrier operations. Report crimes to the police through the tourist assistance program (PROATUR) at 1500 or +502-2290-2800 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +502-2326-4000. There is general societal discrimination against LGBTI persons in relation to their access to education, health care, employment, and housing. Stay home if youre sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Local public buses, known as chicken buses, are not safe. TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: No for stays of up to 90 days. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
Lock
A locked padlock
) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. It does not apply between Canada and Guatemala. James Dyde is the editor of centralamerica.com. Hide Vaccines and Medicines You must have received your last dose at least 2. Ridesharing services drivers are sometimes targets of taxi drivers who oppose these services. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air. For emergency services in Guatemala, dial 110. The following zones in Guatemala City are of elevated concern due to crime: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21, and 24. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated. The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be foundhere. There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Crime rates are high near all border crossings in Guatemala, but are worse near unofficial ones. Please visit the U.S. Embassys COVID-19 information page for more information on COVID-19 in Guatemala. Faith-Based Travelers:See the following webpages for details: LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Guatemala. Check if you need one below. Use radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo), INGUAT-approved taxis from the SAFE stand at the airport, hotel taxis, vetted private drivers, or Uber. Published 30.11.2021 1. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals. High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives. Many people in Guatemala fear that children are being kidnapped for illegal adoption or sexual abuse. To decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim: Tourist groups are advised to request security escorts. Customs: Guatemalan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Guatemala of items such as antiquities and other cultural property. Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section). If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. Flash floods and mudslides are common. They have been involved in cases of extortion, petty theft and other crimes. As far as it stands right now, Guatemala is allowing arriving unvaccinated citizens/residents without a test to get tested at the airport or border.